Black Medic

Medicago lupulina L.

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

▲▼mature plants

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▲ flowers

▲ fruit

▲flowers & fruit

Black Medic:

·         Simple perennial weed, native to Eurasia, in the Legume family (Fabaceae), similar to White Clover except has yellow flower clusters and center leaflet has longer petiole attaching it to main petiole

·         Appears similar to Low Hop Clover, except flowers do not persist after flowering and seeds and seed pods are dark brown to black (instead of tan, as in Low Hop Clover); Low Hop Clover is also an annual, rather than perennial

·         Also, low hopclover’s flower “standard” petal has visible grooves on its outside and is held parallel to the “keel” petals; black medic’s flower “standard” petal does not have these grooves, and when fully open, is held perpendicular to the “keel” petals

·         Grows better in dryer soils than white clover; more heat tolerant

·         Grows in a prostate, spreading habit—6 inches tall by 12-24 inches diameter

·         Common turfgrass weed—can survive fairly close mowing